Collection Overview

This collection is arranged in three series. The first is a large clippings file. The second is a collection of correspondence with various religious leaders on the issue of race. The third is a series entitled "miscellaneous." This consists of a mixture of correspondence and clippings.

The arrangement rigorously follows the titles that Southard gave the three ring binders in which he originally stored this collection.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Samuel Southard Papers is a collection that primarily details the interest that the former SBTS professor had in the issue of race. The bulk of the collection is comprised of a large clippings file on race and a collection of correspondence that Southard developed as he corresponded with religious leaders, most of whom were SBC pastors, on the issue of racial justice.

Biographical Note

Samuel Southard was a professor in the Psychology of Religion department at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1957-1966 and later returned to Southern Seminary as Senior Research Professor from 1993-1995. Southard also served as a professor in the field of counseling and psychology at Austin Presbyterian Seminary (1955-1958), Fuller Theological Seminary (1979-1991), Vanguard University (1995-2003), and St. Petersburg Theological Seminary (2003).

In addition to his work as a professor, Southard worked extensively in state hospitals and as a pastor in Kentucky, Georgia, California, and Florida.